Till death do us part. These simple words seal the marriage commitment. Marriage vows reflect the reality of uncertainties in the marriage experience. Will the relationship be for better or for worse; will the couple live in wealth or poverty; will sickness strike and possibly disable one or both? Who knows on the wedding day what the earthly tomorrows will hold? But with love and devotion we make solemn promises. Not knowing what the future may hold, we take our loved one in marriage. And then we finalize the promises saying – Till death do us part or As long as we both shall live.

Is there any question about God’s intention for marriage? The Pharisees, as recorded in Matthew 19: 1-12, came to tempt and entrap the Lord with their question about dissolving the marriage relationship. His answer as given in verses 4-6 was simple and straight forward. He said, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain (two) shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain (two), but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Again I would ask, is there any question about God’s intention for marriage? Is there any question about God’s intention for your marriage, or the marriage of your children, or the marriage of your friends? No, the matter is clear. God’s intention is for marriage to last for life.
 

Now immediately some will raise questions about this conclusion and will offer reasons why for one reason or another, the marriage can be broken. Indeed it is possible to break the marriage. Paul acknowledged that fact in I Corinthians 7:10-11. Of course, he went on to say that if one party does depart (same term as put asunder in Matthew 19:6), he/she should remain unmarried or be reconciled to his/her mate. Unfortunately when people do break up their marriage it is often because another relationship has been established and another marriage is already contemplated.

There are places in Scripture which some claim open the door to remarriage after the first marriage has collapsed. We may consider them briefly next time, but for now, let us base our position of marriage permanence on two foundational truths. First, most will agree that God intends for marriage to last for life. Second, the solemn vows one makes at the wedding ceremony commit him/her to marriage for life. Tragically in this issue, as in so many, the people of God have followed the world. Instead of leading the world into the light of God’s truth, we have stumbled in the darkness.

   We will conclude our thoughts on prayer with this consideration of Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  We have pointed out that sometimes people quote Romans 8:28 regarding a variety of situations. That is very acceptable, but we suggested that its tie to the prayer admonitions of verses 26 and 27 must not be forgotten. Verse 28 is our source of peace and rest as we wrestle in prayer, but do not always get the response we hoped for. At the same time we want to be sure we do not exclude Romans 8:28 from the verses that follow. Those verses remind us how God’s purpose, which is mentioned in verse 28, will be worked out in our lives. The eventual fulfillment of that purpose will affect how God answers our prayers in this life.

We should be glad the ultimate purposes of God can never be thwarted by human will, desire or action. We can rest in the fact that God is sovereign and thankfully, God is good. All that He does is good and will only further the fulfillment of His purpose for us. Therefore we know with absolute assurance that he will work all things together for good to us who love Him. That includes the answers to prayer, both those that we like as well as those that we do not like. This truth becomes a challenge to our faith in the character of God. Will we trust Him? Will we trust Him to know and do what is best in light of His purpose for us, and can we accept His way as best, when it does not harmonize with our present desires?

The prayer experience is an amazing opportunity for each of us. We would do well to take time to contemplate what it means for us, as mere human beings, to be welcomed before God in prayer. We understand our unworthiness is overcome by entering God’s presence in the name of the Lord Jesus. Our infirmities are relieved by the aid of the Holy Spirit. But still we must ask with the psalmist, What is man that thou art mindful of him? (Psalm 8:4) And yet we are assured, the prayer of the upright is His delight (Proverbs 15:8).

We addressed this topic under the heading of Trends and Troubles, because prayer is often misused and abused in the church today. Our hope is that all our readers will seek to conform their prayer experience to the blessed truths revealed in the Word of God and avoid the current whims and winds of confusion.

What does it mean to train children? In our last article we quoted from Matthew Henry’s commentary in addressing Proverbs 22:6. He writes, Catechise them; initiate them, keep them under discipline. Train them as soldiers, who are taught to handle their arms, keep rank and observe the word of command.

In our last article we also asked the following question. If a soldier had finished his course of training, but could not handle his arms, keep rank and observe his commands, was he, in fact, trained?

In addressing Proverbs 22:6 and the promise of children not departing from the way they should go, Charles Bridges, in his commentary on Proverbs wrote, If then the promise is not fulfilled, it is because the duty was not performed.    

Bridges also addresses the most common issue raised by those who have seen children go astray when he writes: Education is utterly distinct from grace. But, when it is conducted in the spirit and on the principles of the Word of God, it is a means of imparting it. His point is well taken and I fully agree. Training in itself cannot reach the heart, but it is the pathway of readying the child to receive God’s truth.  The disciplined child is far more ready to sit and hear the things of God or quietly bow for prayer than the child who is out of control.

So we return to the question, what does it mean to train a child?  Whatever it means, we recognize that failure to succeed in the process will greatly diminish the quality of the results. In other words, if our children go astray it reveals that however sincere our attempts and however tender our hearts, we did not get the job done. I would measure success in training by the degree to which my child followed my faith and adopted my values. Paul relates his spiritual challenge to the believers at Thessalonica to the experience of parenting. It is very sobering. He wrote, ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us and of the Lord…as ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. (I Thessalonians 1:5-6; 2:11-12). If your children have gone astray from the ways of the Lord consider the issue in these terms; why has my child not followed my faith and adopted my values? More next time.

Proverbs 23:6 “Keep thy heart with all diligence: for out of it are the issues of life.” How are we keeping our hearts? Life has become so hectic! Some ladies work at a job away from home. Some ladies work hard just being at home, raising godly children, keeping a home clean and comfortable, and putting good meals on the table. Whichever role fits you, are you keeping your heart close to the Savior? Whatever life holds for us, one thing cannot change – our special time with the Lord. We need to read God’s Word; study to show ourselves approved unto God; practice what we learn, and then the issues of life will be put in order. What are our issues of life? Are they material things that are most important to us? Are they eternal things which keep us busy? Are we witnessing to others, teaching our children God’s wonderful promises, loving our church family, joining together to pray for others and meet needs as we can? Life is so short! It may be even shorter than any of us know! Are we taking the only thing to heaven that we can – precious souls: our children, our grandchildren, our neighbors, our friends, our extended family? As this unsettled world continues to evolve, let us be diligent in drawing close to the Lord and rejoice in the issues of life that will produce.  

I have been burdened for a long time about prayer. It is the greatest privilege afforded the child of God. We can step into the presence of our Creator and personally open our hearts to Him. But prayer is abused, misused and ignored by many. In the book we address such things as: Understanding the Father/Child Relationship, Praying in the Name of the Son, The Intercessory work of the Holy Spirit, What it means to pray boldly, What about Fasting?, and much more. It will be over 200 pages in length. We anticipate it being ready for distribution within the next month or so, and at this point, plan a paper back edition as well as a leather gift edition. The publishers suggested retail prices will be $14.99 and $19.99 respectively.  We would like to offer a pre-publication suggested donation of $10.00 and $15.00 respectively. Your order will help us with publication costs and hopefully be a blessing to you. You can order on our website resource page or by direct e-mail to us.

We are happy to report that our new website is up and functioning. We had a few glitches to overcome, but now it is operating well.

It is a video presentation which explains the gospel and accompanying Bible truths to all who watch. Many are directing others to the site. You can help by telling others or by handing out our business sized cards introducing the site. You can get the cards free of charge by contacting us. We are averaging about 5 hits per day on the site. Pray with us that many unbelievers will watch and consider their need of the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. In this day of religious confusion and turmoil, people need to hear the pure and simple message of Christianity.

June 7 – Anthony Baptist, Jersey Shore, PA

June 14 – Kendal Park Baptist, Kendal Park, NJ

June 22 – 27 – BFM Family Camp

July 25 – August 4, Forest Glen Camp and surrounding churches – Nova Scotia.

August 21-22 – Bethel Bible Church, Penns Grove, NJ, family retreat – Tri State Bible Camp